The HARDEST and BEST summer ever.

First of all, I am SO behind!!! Sorry about that. Anyways,  blogging takes SO MUCH TIME. I didn't realize how many pictures I had to post. Since I have already been on the computer for so long and I'm getting really sick of it, I'm going to let the pictures do most of the talking. :) But basically there were two main parts of my summer. Arizona, and my nannying job. Then there's some miscellaneous stuff in between.

Part 1

ARIZONA :)

I LOVE THIS PLACE :)

Mesa Arizona Temple

I love the desert. So much.

Mountain Ridge High School. Good times, good times...

DBacks! Suuuuch a good game. 

Ben and Brooklynn

Haunted house. I suggest that you never visit. Ever.

I was just crying a little bit because Ben dragged me out of the car and carried me into the house.

Born and raised :)

My wonderful cousin Troy got married!

I forgot how much the Arizona sun hurts. 

What up Steve.

Mutual with the Arrowhead Ranch Ward :')

SO EXCITED!

Mountains are one of my favorite things ever.

So many boys under one roof.

The group :)

Met my cousin's baby Griffin for the first time. :) I LOVE HIM!!!

Love them! :)

There are no words...

"I'm captivated by you baby like a firework show."

:)

Saying goodbye until January :(

SO BEAUTIFUL.

Clouds are my favorite.

Annnnd we're back.

Indiana is seriously so beautiful.

I'm so proud of this picture.

Part 2

Nanny, Gym, Sleep, Repeat.

Charli and Cooper! :)

Let's all just ignore my face and focus on how cute Charli is.

We were trying to be cool. It worked for Cooper, but for me? Not so much.

:)

One thing I learned from this whole experience is this...

Mothers of the world, you all ROCK.

One huge accomplishment of mine this summer was I started eating healthy and going to the gym! I'm so proud of myself.

The Color Run!

So fun :)

I lovelovelove Chicago.

I wrote in my journal just about every day this summer. I'm super proud of myself.

So that was my summer. Then school started. Ahh! I can't believe I'm a senior! That is so weird to me. Seniors always seemed and looked so old to me. I still look like a baby. And what's even weirder is that this is my last semester since I'll be graduating in December! So crazy. Here is part of my journal entry from the night before school started:

"Wow. I can't believe summer is over. That's seriously crazy. It's been a good one. Arizona was amazing, girls camp was so incredible, and nannying was a great experience. So many things have changed. I have grown so much this summer. I've bettered myself. I've found myself! I am more confident than I have been in a really really long time. I'm grateful for all of my trials and experiences that I had this summer that have made me a better person."

So basically, it was seriously one of the best summers EVER. Ahhh I'm just so happy and so grateful.

A few weeks after school started, I said goodbye to one of the greatest friends I have ever had. It was sad.

Then Brooklynn and Nate came to visit!!! :) It was so fun to have them here.

Chicaaaaago!

Willis Tower.

I'm on top of the world, eyyy.

The Bean!

This might possibly be the best picture I have ever taken. Brooklynn's face...hahaha

See ya later :(

So that was my summer [plus Labor Day weekend!] :)

As of right now, I'm just trying really hard to "enjoy the here and the now" because before I know it, I'll be finished with high school and headed off to college. It's crazy how fast time goes by. Thanks for reading all of this. I'm impressed.

Just a few things to brighten your day...